D-B baseball among the district tourney favorites

It’s all about the postseason in spring sports, and district tournament time is here.

It’s the first step toward what some teams are hoping will be a trip to Murfreesboro for the Spring Fling, which is scheduled for May 21-24.

Here’s a sport-by-sport look at what to expect for District 1 baseball, softball and soccer tournaments.

Baseball

AAA

Dobyns-Bennett won the regular season, thanks in part to a clutch late-season sweep of Tennessee High.

The Indians have the best pitching depth to make it through the district, so they enter as the favorite. But this is a beast of a league with Science Hill, Daniel Boone and Tennessee High all carrying a threat to win the title.

Predicted winner: Dobyns-Bennett

AA

Elizabethton raced through the regular season without a loss, and is the clear-cut favorite.

However, the Cyclones ran into hard times in recent losses against Class AAA foes Dobyns-Bennett and Daniel Boone. Nestled between those setbacks, an important rivalry win over Science Hill softened the blows.

Sullivan South and Sullivan East are the main threats to Elizabethton.

Predicted winner: Elizabethton

A

Like Elizabethton, University High has a flawless league record. But the Buccaneers could potentially see a pair of aces — Unaka’s John Ramsey and Sullivan North’s Braydon Wilhoit — on the road toward a title.

Predicted winner: University High

Softball

AAA

Daniel Boone’s overall record of 41-6 gives it the look of invincibility, but the Lady Trailblazers have endured their share of tight battles en route to an 11-1 league mark.

This title is up for grabs between Boone and Science Hill, while David Crockett and Dobyns-Bennnet are both capable of pulling a surprise.

Predicted winner: Daniel Boone

AA

Unicoi County enjoyed a nice run through the regular season, and the Lady Blue Devils are primed for a strong district tournament.

Sullivan East is the sticking point, however. The Lady Patriots have enough offensive weaponry to change a game in a swing. And East will be playing on its home field.

Predicted winner: Unicoi County

A

It should be a dandy tournament with Cloudland sweeping Unaka, Unaka sweeping North Greene, and North Greene sweeping Cloudland in the regular season.

So there’s no clear-cut favorite.

Predicted winner: Unaka

Soccer

AAA

Even though Science Hill stood strong and clipped Dobyns-Bennett to split their regular season series, the Indians are still a strong favorite to win this title.

Predicted winner: Dobyns-Bennett

AA

As it has been for quite a few years, Greeneville is standing head and shoulders above the crowd — even though Elizabethton gave the Greene Devils a push in a 2-0 regular season decision.

Predicted winner: Greeneville

A

University High outscored its league opponents this season by a combined margin of 38-4. But a recent 3-2 win over Chuckey-Doak suggests the Buccaneers still have work to do.